VANCOUVER, CANADA: Tragically, at least 11 people lost their lives and many more were injured when a man with a known history of mental health struggles drove an SUV into a crowd at a Filipino community festival in Vancouver, according to police reports on Sunday.
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“This is the darkest day in our city’s history,” stated Vancouver Interim Chief Constable Steve Rai during a press conference on Sunday. He mentioned that dozens were hurt, some with serious injuries, and cautioned that the number of fatalities might increase in the days and weeks ahead.
Over 100 police officers are now part of the investigation, while local officials collaborate with provincial and federal agencies to offer support services. “The community will feel this for a long time,” RJ Aquino, chair of the community advocacy group Filipino BC, shared with reporters.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s campaign activities were put on hold Sunday morning, but he quickly resumed after expressing his condolences to the Filipino community in Canada.
“Last night, families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son, or a daughter. Those families are living every family’s nightmare,” he said to reporters in Hamilton, Ontario. “I stand with all Canadians in mourning with you. I know that Canadians are united with you,” he added.
More than 12 hours after the tragic incident, police were still searching for a motive behind the attack at the festival, which unfolded without a dedicated police presence or heavy vehicle barriers. “There were no known threats to the event or to the Filipino community,” Rai mentioned.
The incident occurred shortly after 8 pm in Vancouver’s Sunset neighbourhood, an area celebrated for its vibrant Asian community, where the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party was in full swing, honoring a Philippine national hero.
One witness recounted to CTV News that he spotted a black vehicle driving erratically near the festival just moments before the crowd was struck. According to witnesses, the suspect was initially pursued and restrained by festival-goers until the police arrived.
A photo shared online captured the aftermath, revealing a dark Audi SUV with both front fenders crumpled and the hood pushed up against the windshield. Images from the scene depicted the tragic sight of victims lying on the pavement next to a row of colorful food trucks.
The festival, particularly celebrated in the central Philippines, pays tribute to Datu Lapu-Lapu, a Filipino chieftain who famously defeated Spanish forces led by Ferdinand Magellan during the Battle of Mactan in 1521. In 2023, the government of British Columbia officially designated April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day.
Canada’s Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre expressed his shock in a tweet, stating, “I am shocked by the horrific news emerging from Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day Festival tonight.” Meanwhile, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos shared his devastation in a statement, saying he was “completely shattered to hear about the terrible incident.”
This tragedy struck as Canadians were gearing up to head to the polls on Monday (today), following an election campaign where candidates have been courting voters on pressing issues like rising living costs and addressing US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods, along with his threats to annex Canada.
The ramming incident sent shockwaves through the country just a day before a general election, which was heavily influenced by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods and his alarming threat to annex Canada, a nation that has long been a vital ally and trading partner.
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Q1. What happened at the Vancouver Filipino Festival?
At least 11 people were killed and many others injured when a man drove an SUV into a crowd attending the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver’s Sunset neighbourhood.
Q2. Who is the suspect in the Vancouver street festival attack?
Authorities apprehended a 30-year-old man from Vancouver at the scene. He has a significant history of mental health interactions with law enforcement but no ties to terrorism.
Q3. Was terrorism involved in the Vancouver SUV attack?
Police have stated there is no evidence suggesting that terrorism was involved in the incident.
Q4. How is the investigation progressing?
Over 100 officers are working on the investigation, alongside provincial and federal agencies. Authorities continue to search for a motive behind the attack.
Q5. How has the community and leadership responded?
Leaders like Prime Minister Mark Carney and community organizations like Filipino BC expressed their condolences. Pierre Poilievre and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos also shared their shock and sympathy.
Q6. Were there any security measures in place at the festival?
Police reported no known threats to the festival beforehand, and the event did not have dedicated police presence or heavy vehicle barriers at the time of the incident.
